Zohran Mamdani-backed candidates sweep New York Democratic primary

Three candidates endorsed by New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primaries for congressional seats in New York. Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated incumbent Adriano Espaillat in the 15th district, Claire Valdez secured the 7th‑district nomination, and Brad Lander beat pro‑Israel federal prosecutor Dan Goldman in the 10th district. Their campaigns emphasized a hard‑line stance on the Israel‑Gaza war, calls for “free Palestine,” abolition of police, higher taxes on the wealthy and expanded social services.

The victories broaden Mamdani’s influence within the Democratic Party and push the party’s platform further left on foreign‑policy and domestic issues. The defeats also marked a setback for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which had funded several of the losing candidates.